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Regional Campuses

Family Medicine Preceptorship Handbook

WELCOME TO REGIONAL CAMPUSES M1 SUMMER PROGRAMS

Regional Campuses M1 Summer Programs help bridge the gap between the classroom and practical experience for students who have completed the first year of medical school. These programs offer more relaxed environments away from formal coursework where students can focus on different aspects of their medical education and as well as their future career paths as physicians. This handbook provides important details about Family Medicine Preceptorship (FMP) Experiences.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Student Responsibilities

  • Important Dates to Remember:
    • January 29, 2024 – March 1, 2024: Applications accepted via online application. Friday, March 15, 2024:  Students receive confirmation of acceptance.
    • June 3, 2024 through July 26, 2024: Student participation timeframe
  • Be on time.
  • Be prepared.
  • Be professional in appearance and attitude.
  • Take advantage of every opportunity to learn.
  • Cancellation:
    • If student is placed in a M1 Summer Program and is unable to participate, student must immediately contact: Family Medicine Preceptor, Service Learning Project Director or MASH Camp Director.
    • Student must also immediately contact Heidi Damron, the M1 summer programs coordinator as there might be a waiting list with students who are wanting a summer program placement.

APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE

  • M1 Students must be in good academic standing with the College of Medicine.
  • Applications will be accepted online January 29, 2024 through March 1, 2024.
  • Applicants will list their preferred preceptors/project topics/camp locations in order of preference on the application, as well as preferred dates of participation.
  • Housing requests must be noted on the application. (Additional housing information below.)
  • Applications received after March 1, 2024 deadline will be considered only if slots are available.
  • Students will be notified of acceptance via email on Friday, March 15, 2024.
  • There are a limited number of stipend-supported slots for each of the three summer programs. Students are encouraged to submit their application early to help ensure desired placement.
  • The Regional Campus Central Office reserves the right to make final decisions regarding selection of applicants, selection of appropriate physicians and sites for the Family Medicine Preceptorship, coordination of Service Learning Projects, and MASH Camp Assistantship placements.

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF FAMILY MEDICINE PRECEPTORSHIP (FMP)*

  • Description: Gain hands-on clinical experience in a family medicine practice.
  • Primary Goal: Provide students with insight into the everyday life of a private practice family physician.
  • Length of Program: Two weeks
  • Stipend: $500**
    *Participation in the Family Medicine Preceptorship is required for students in the Rural Practice Program and Honors in Underserved Primary Care.

    **Honors in Underserved Primary Care (HUPC) students are required to participate in the Family Medicine Preceptorship as part of the program curriculum and do not receive a stipend for this program.  If students choose to participate in a Service Learning Project and/or a MASH Camp Assistantship, they are eligible to receive those stipends.

Stipend Information

Stipend Uses

  • To offset the cost of transportation, housing, and/or meals in the community for which you have selected.
  • The stipend is considered income and student should report as income to the IRS. This income can be offset by school expenses or educational costs, such as tuition, books, supplies, travel, meals and lodging while off campus. If income exceeds educational costs, then the exceeded amount will be taxable.

Stipend Delivery

  • FMP students will receive a stipend check at the end of the required two weeks and upon satisfactory completion of all assignments and submission of all evaluations (both student and preceptor).
  • Stipend checks may be picked up in-person in the Family Medicine Clinic administrative office.  Upon request, stipend checks may be mailed.  Students are responsible for providing a complete, accurate, and current mailing address.

Housing Information
It is the student’s responsibility to make housing arrangements. Some family medicine preceptors, communities, and the Regional Campuses may be willing to provide housing while a student is working with their physicians.

All housing requests must be noted on the application form prior to submission.

Meals
It is the student’s responsibility to provide their meals.

College of Medicine Senior Course Credit Policy
If requested, up to four (4) credits may be approved as an elective for the senior year, for participation in the FMP. However, to qualify for this credit, there must be an unusually stringent academic component to the activity.  Written approval must be received from the College of Medicine Executive Associate Dean’s office prior to starting the project/service. For more information, see the specific policy approved by the College of Medicine Curriculum Committee located in the Appendix.

FAMILY MEDICINE PRECEPTORSHIP FMP*

FMP supplies positive training opportunities to UAMS M1 COM students in diverse locations around the state to help demonstrate the need for rural family physicians. As students shadow their Family Medicine Preceptor, they will experience all aspects of a family physician private practice. FMP offers students a more relaxed environment, away from formal coursework, where they can gain insight into the rural family physician’s way of life. Students can observe,  learn and consider future plans for their medical practice.  By immersing themselves into the day-to-day functions of this practice, students deepen their understanding of multiple vital issues: the value of family medicine and primary care; the importance of chronic disease management; methods to improve patient health care experiences while reducing health care costs; and managing population health in the overall effort to improve quality of life for individuals and populations.

Upon completion of two-week FMP, the student will be able to:

  1. Explain the importance of the physician/patient relationship.
  2. List common medical problems seen by a family physician in this selected community and discuss the strategies commonly applied for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these common medical problems.
  3. Compare and contrast the value of human and environmental influences as determinants of a patient’s health.
  4. Outline basic principles of office management and standard business practices.
  5. Describe an approach to clinical problem solving.
  6. Explain the need to maintain good clinical records.
  7. Demonstrate basic skills of conducting effective patient histories and physicals.
  8. Perform simple diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

BEFORE FMP BEGINS

  • Submit FMP Application by March 1, 2024 deadline. Must include choice/preference for Family Medicine Preceptor and dates on your application*. 

*Approved preceptors are found on the American Board of Family Medicine website: https://portfolio.theabfm.org/diplomate/find.aspx.  Students search for physicians by name, city or additional qualifications. The students’ preceptor does not have to be from this list.   

*Eligible FMP Communities: All communities in AR except those in Pulaski County. Honors in Underserved Primary Care HUPC students may select an underserved community inside Pulaski County.  All selections must be approved.

  • Notification by email of FMP acceptance/placement. The Regional Campus Education office will approve preceptor selection and send resource packet to preceptors and student.** Once notified of preceptor approval, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the preceptor and make all arrangements for two-week preceptorship. Student is also responsible for housing arrangements.  Every effort will be made to match students with their first choices, but this cannot be guaranteed.  

**Preceptorships may not exceed a one-on-one ratio (one student to one preceptor). In the case of a group practice, the number of students allowed with that group depends on the number of physicians actively participating in the program and willing to precept a student.

  • Once FMP location is determined, student will contact preceptor, confirm schedule, and secure housing (if applicable).

FMP BEGINS

  • Wear student lab coat and UAMS name tag unless told otherwise by preceptor.
  • Each work week with the Family Medicine Preceptor will be Monday through Friday, usually reporting between 8:00 – 9:00 AM and finishing between 5:00 – 6:00 PM. The physician’s work schedule precludes a definite time outline; the student’s specific schedule will be discussed onsite between student and preceptor.  The student may occasionally be asked to work with the preceptor during evening hours or attend evening/ weekend meetings which he/she considers pertinent. 
  • A work week equals five (5) business days – Monday through Friday. If the two-weeks (10 business days) with the Family Medicine Preceptor includes a holiday(s), those days must be made up. It is the student’s responsibility to reschedule those days with Family Medicine Preceptor.
  • The Regional Center Director or designee, or a representative of the Regional Campus Education Office may make on-site visits while you are participating in a preceptorship in their region.
  • HIPPA Info: Students are third parties to the customary privileged doctor/patient relationship during this preceptorship. Confidentiality must be respected.  Student conduct is expected to be professional and consistent with the dignity and reputation of the profession. Remember your HIPAA training!
  • Hospital/Clinic Screenings/Certifications/Approvals: Some hospitals or clinics require anyone who spends time in their facility to be screened and approved for clinical or educational activities, i.e., Family Medicine Preceptorship FMP. These screenings may include CPR certification, annual TB skin tests, immunization records, criminal background checks and/or drug screens. It is the responsibility of the student to provide these documents directly to the hospital or clinic and at the student’s expense.  If required, contact UAMS Student Health Services at 501-686-6381 or http://familymedicine.uams.edu/university-healthcare-services/student-and-employee-health for your health records.
  • Complete all Blackboard assignments.  

Blackboard Assignments Information:

Students will receive Blackboard information prior to the start of the preceptorship.

Students will participate in specific Blackboard activities during the FMP to help them gain a better understanding of the specialty of family medicine.  

At the beginning of the FMP, students will interview their preceptor to learn about the practice and to discuss lifestyle, career issues and the role of the family physician in the community. Students will post notes and reflections about the interview as well as thoughts on such topics as health literacy, primary care, chronic disease self-management, public and community health, disease prevention, health policy and advocacy.  Various articles and videos will be posted on Blackboard that allow students to comment and reflect on their FMP experience.

FMP ENDS

EVALUTIONS: The Regional Campus Education office will contact the preceptor and student if evaluations are not received in a timely manner after the two-week FMP is complete.

  • STUDENT: The Family Medicine Preceptorship is not considered complete until student   submits evaluations on their direct preceptor/community physician and the coursework/program on Blackboard. Evaluations are anonymous. Specific feedback is important to improve next year’s program. 
  • PRECEPTOR/COMMUNITY PHYSICIAN:  The Family Medicine Preceptorship is not considered complete until the Preceptor/Community Physician submits a student evaluation. The FM preceptor/community physician will complete an assessment of their student’s participation and will verify their successful completion of program objectives. There is no academic grade associated with this assessment, but it is used to document student accomplishments as well as to help improve the quality of the program. Upon request, students may receive a copy of the preceptor’s evaluation. 

STIPEND PAYMENT

  • Students will receive FMP stipend check for total amount of $500, after the required two weeks are completed AND upon satisfactory completion of/submission of all assignments and evaluations (both student and preceptor)

APPENDIX

College of Medicine Senior Course Credit Policy

The two-week Family Medicine Preceptorship along with the additional the four-week Service Learning Project might qualify for this credit.

College of Medicine students who participate in organized preceptorships or research activities, which have been determined appropriate for credit, during the summer between the first and second or second and third years of medical school, can receive up to a total of four credit hours for the activities.  (A credit hour on such an activity will be equal to 36 hours of actual work, not prep time – or a credit hour per week for full time activities).  The activities must be organized by the College of Medicine or the UAMS Regional Programs; they must be part of an organized program with written goals and objectives, and the student must receive an evaluation.   

The determination of whether or not the activity is worthy of credit hours will be made in advance between the College of Medicine (office of the Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or designee), and the director of the program sponsoring the activity.  To qualify for credit, there must be an unusually stringent academic component to the activity and the activity will have been planned specifically to qualify for this credit by the director of the program and the Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Ad hoc preceptorships and/or research activities arranged by the student or groups of students will not qualify for this credit.  In general, a simple preceptorship where the student is assigned to a clinician or researcher and observes them on rounds, in the clinic, or in the laboratory, will not be considered appropriate for credit.  For example, the routine preceptorships available through the UAMS in the summer will not be eligible, nor will summer research positions arranged through the office of the Executive Associate Dean for Research.  Time preparing for the USMLE Step examinations, even if done at a Board Preparation Course, will not qualify for this Pre-Clinical Elective Credit.

If there is any question as to whether a specific activity is eligible for this credit, the student should contact the office of the Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  No guarantees of credit are made unless approved in advance by this office.

If a student takes part in such an approved activity, the director of the program will be responsible to report the students’ involvement to the College of Medicine Dean’s office in an official evaluation with a pass/fail grade.  These grades will not become part of the student’s transcript, but will be recorded in their permanent record.  Failing grades will obviously receive no credit.  A record will be made of the student’s involvement along with the number of credit hours earned.  The credit hours will be applied during the student’s senior year.

Policy as approved by the UAMS College of Medicine Curriculum Committee March 2013.